Ted Potter Jr Wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Ted Potter Jr produced a final round of 69 to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am by three shots from a group of four players including World Number 1 Dustin Johnson.

Ted Potter Jr Wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Ted Potter Jr pulled off a surprise victory in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, holding off a chasing pack that included World Number 1 Dustin Johnson, veteran Phil Mickelson and former World Number 1 Jason Day.

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Potter Jr began the final day at Pebble Beach tied for the lead with Dustin Johnson after posting a superb 62 on day three.

Highlights of the final day:

On Sunday, Potter had moved one in front by the time the final group reached the famous par-3 7th after birdies at the 2nd, 4th and 6th holes.

Neither Potter nor Johnson found the putting surface on the tricky short hole and DJ chipped up nicely to within four feet of the hole. Potter then played a deft shot that went in for a birdie two and gave him a two-shot lead.

That was the turning point and the 34-year-old was able to maintain at least that two-shot cushion all the way to the house. Potter closed with a 69 for a four-round total of -17. It was his second PGA Tour victory, following the 2012 Greenbrier Classic.

Potter Jr’s interview after victory:

“I’m so happy right now to get it done today, especially against the world No. 1, playing with him today,” Potter said. “The win here at Pebble is just unbelievable.”

3 Talking points from the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

1 – This win marks an incredible comeback for Potter Jr. The left-hander broke his ankle during the Canadian Open of 2014 and the damage was so bad that he didn’t play another tournament for two years. He made his way back to the PGA Tour through the developmental circuit last year. With only four top-10s and 46 missed cuts in his last 83 PGA Tour starts, Potter is now contemplating a return to The Masters in April.

“It’s been a struggle,” he said. “You break your ankle and you don’t know what’s going to happen with your swing, with your career. It’s unbelievable right now. This has been a blast this week.”

2 – It was a disappointing weekend for Dustin Johnson. Going into the final round tied for the lead, the World Number 1 would have expected to see off a man ranked 242 places below him. But DJ struggled to a round of 72 and had to settle for a share of second. It was the seventh time he has led going into the final round on the PGA Tour and failed to convert it into victory (out of 12 opportunities.)

“A few iron shots cost me a few bogeys,” said Johnson. “Two under in the last 36 holes is not too good as well as I thought I was playing. I’d like to have put a little more pressure on Ted.”

3 – The Pro-Am tournament was won comfortably by Kevin Streelman and NFL player Larry Fitzgerald. They finished seven clear of the field.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California
Feb 8-11
Purse: $7,400,000 Par: 72

1 Ted Potter Jr (USA) 68 71 62 69 270 $1,332,000
T2 Phil Mickelson (USA) 69 65 72 67 273 $488,400
T2 Chez Reavie (USA) 67 72 66 68 273 $488,400
T2 Jason Day (Aus) 69 65 69 70 273 $488,400
T2 Dustin Johnson (USA) 67 64 70 72 273 $488,400
6 Kevin Streelman (USA) 65 69 72 68 274 $266,400
7 Scott Stallings (USA) 72 69 68 66 275 $247,900
T8 Jimmy Walker (USA) 68 69 73 67 277 $185,000
T8 Kevin Chappell (USA) 73 68 69 67 277 $185,000
T8 Grayson Murray (USA) 74 68 69 66 277 $185,000
T8 Paul Casey (Eng) 67 70 70 70 277 $185,000
T8 Brian Gay (USA) 69 69 68 71 277 $185,000
T8 Patrick Rodgers (USA) 70 65 69 73 277 $185,000
T8 Troy Merritt (USA) 67 67 69 74 277 $185,000

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

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